FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 9, 2026
Tel: 202-682-4131
Email: richard@indefenseofchristians.org
Sunday, February 8, marks one year since Suleiman Khalil (born 1 January 1974) was detained by the Syrian Transitional Government. He remains in detention today. He has not been charged with any crime. He has not been allowed access to a lawyer or to any evidence concerning his case.
As the mayor of Sadad, an ancient Christian village in Syria, Khalil was instrumental in preventing his town’s fall to ISIS, and the likely massacre of its inhabitants, when the terrorist group attacked the town in November 2015. Khalil is rightly viewed by his townspeople as a hero.
Khalil is being held in the military section of Homs Central Prison. His health has declined in detention. There is reason to believe he has been tortured. His family has been prevented from bringing him religious items, such as a cross necklace and a Bible.
Khalil’s detention violates Article 18 of Syria’s constitutional declaration of 13 March 2025, which states, “With the exception of the case of a crime committed in plain sight, no person may be arrested, detained, or have his freedom restricted, except by judicial order.”
It also violates international human rights law, which bans arbitrary detention, and protects the rights of the accused and religious freedom.
Suleiman Khalil’s case is a credibility test for the new Syrian government, and for the international community which has embraced it. President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his officials have repeatedly promised that Christians will be safe in the new Syria. The persecution of a Christian politician whose only discernable offense is defending his town against an ISIS attack indicates otherwise.
We call for Suleiman Khalil to be released immediately.
We call on the U.S. government to intercede with its Syrian interlocuters to ensure his quick release.
In Defense of Christians Christian Solidarity International
